Liliana De La Paz Carrillo gets her son Juan Diego ready to use the new ramp at their home. Juan Diego and his brother, Jesús, have spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which causes a weakening and loss of muscle mass. Both boys have wheelchairs, and Juan Diego now has a ventilator and a feeding tube. The disease comes with a life expectancy of 20. RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Vasquez and her family were part of the Statesman Season for Caring program last year. Every year, the Statesman tells the story of 12 families who have been nominated to the program by local nonprofit organizations. We invite the community and local businesses to donate a gift of money or goods or services on the families’ wish lists. Donations are given to the featured families first, and then, every year, Season for Caring funds help hundreds of other families through the selected nonprofit agencies.